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O's send utility player Flaherty to Minors

5/14/13: Ryan Flaherty laces a solo home run over the left-field wall off Andrew Cashner to tie the game at 1 in the bottom of the third

By Brittany Ghiroli
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MLB.com |

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Triple-A Norfolk following Saturday's 10-6 loss, and the club will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Sunday's game.

The move is the Orioles third transaction of the day, and it's more likely that they will add another position player given that manager Buck Showalter said following the game he felt the team's bullpen -- which has pitched 29 2/3 innings in the last seven games -- was in good shape.

Flaherty has struggled offensively since the season began, and while the team likes his defense, he was replaced by Yamaico Navarro at second base for the past two games. Flaherty, a Rule 5 Draft pick last year, hit .133 in 30 games with two homers and 26 strikeouts in 90 at-bats. He opened the year 0-for-17.

If the Orioles do opt to add another position player, they could go with an outfielder, given Saturday's decision to put Nolan Reimold on the disabled list, or promote someone from Triple-A Norfolk who is versatile enough to play multiple spots. With Rays lefty Matt Moore on the mound Sunday, a right-handed bat would make sense, and Danny Valencia seems to be the most logical candidate.